1922] MADRAS PEARL FISHERIES 33 



The fishery of 1708 appears the next that was held, and one 

 that gave a satisfactory return. At this fishery 398 free stones 

 were allowed as follows : — 



"List of free stones according to ancient customs. 

 96% to the Naick of Madura— 4 Xtian, 92% Moorish. 

 60 to Theuver— 60 Moorish. 



10 to Head Moorman of Cailpatnam — 5 Xtian, 5 Moorish. 

 185 to the Pattangatyns of this coast — all Xtian stones. 

 30 to those of Mannar. 

 13 to those of Jaffnapatam. 

 3^2 lost by 4 Moors who died in the fishery. 



398 Stones free, valued at Pards (Pardaos) . . 3,591." 



The 185 stones given to the Pattangatyns or headmen of the 

 Paravas were in the nature of remuneration to these men for 

 assistance in inspecting the banks, in guarding any oyster banks 

 discovered, in recruiting divers and in superintending operations 

 during the course of the fishery. All these stones are specifically 

 termed "Christian stones," meaning that the divers using them 

 were Christians (Paravas), whereas those allowed to the Nayak 

 and Tevar (Setupati of Ramnad) were all Moorish, save for four 

 Christians. The explanation of this division is that the two great 

 Muhammadan settlements, Kayalpattanam and Kilakarai were situ- 

 ated respectively in the territories of the Nayak and the Setupati, 

 whereas the sovereignty over the Christian Paravas was vested ex- 

 pressly, first in the Portuguese and then by conquest in the Dutch.* 



* The employment of native headmen in the examination of the Pearl banks and in 

 the management of the fisheries and their remuneration by the grant of similar privileges 

 to the above were continued by the Ceylon Government up to 1863. Latterly there were 

 but five employed, namely the Adigar of Mannar, the Maniagar of Karaiyur, two 

 Adapannars and a Pattankoddi. The remuneration was five stones (the equivalent of 

 one boat) to the Adigar, two to the Maniagar and one apiece to the other headmen. Sir 

 William Twynam (Report on the Ceylon Pearl Fisheries, 1900) states that they generally 

 sold their privileges at the beginning of the fishery. The Adigar of Mannar had the 

 last privilege in 1863. Regarding the quality of the assistance they rendered Sir William 

 Twynam remarks: "I found them highly intelligent and well-informed men, well 

 acquainted with the Pearl banks and matters connected with the fisheries. They helpe 1 

 Mr. Vane and Captain Pritchard to carry on the fisheries in 1S55, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1859, 

 and i860 and the Adigar of Mannar rendered me very valuable service during the fishery 

 of 1863." With this favourable estimate I heartily coincide both in regard to the 

 present Adigar of Musali and the present representatives of the fishing and diving 

 communities on the Indian coast ; a tactful and sympathetic attitude and the avoidance 

 of anv act or speech likely to arouse their prejudices soon win their confidence and in 

 the present condition of the management of the Indian Banks the assistance they can 

 render is not in any way to be despised. 



